Getting the Lead out !

yup, today is the day.......I'm cleaning out my closet & getting into that suitcase....so far, I've found 3 pair of shoes I have no idea where they came from. And, a coat that's way to small for me (don't know where it came from either).....& I did get rid of the old TV set that sat in the middle of my bed room for a year.

Hey......I might even hang that Fall garland up around my door.!.!

I do know, I want to get rid of some of my Owl stuff.....getting way to much Owl stuff. It started out as Owl necklaces (I collect Owl necklaces) & people just started giving me Owl stuff......mostly nic-knacks. I'll keep the small ones....but, the big ugly ones have got to go.

I also collect Stephen King movies........& what a mess that is. Jeepers ! That's why some of the Owls are going "Bye-Bye" so I will have shelf space for the movies. I'm starting to think I might be a "Hoarder"....or a Pack Rat at the very least.......I mean, do I Really NEED 50 plastic bags ?

I'm thinking about starting a new "Just Say No !" campaign........To JUNK ! When other people offer me their Junk........"Just Say No !"

But, right now I'm taking a break.......collecting my thoughts....thinking back over my work week-end. Which wasn't to bad.......I did get yelled at for leaving a knife on my table......Oh well. (sigh). Sunday is what we call "Feeding Day" at work........Most people come into the store just to eat the samples.....they don't buy a thing. I had the big soft pretzels on Sunday....& towards the end of the day I was cutting them into 4's........while I was putting salt on one pretzel.....a man was standing there eating all 4 pieces on the tray........I said, "Excuse me Sir." & the man said...."I thought you were almost done for the day." "Well, yeah," I said,"But other people might like to have a piece too." With that he walked away. Then there was the lady who picked up a piece.....stuffed it into her mouth....Walked Away ! Then came back & said, "What was that I just ate ?" (OMG, I truly hate those people)....I told her it was a soft pretzel.......then she tells me she takes Meds. for high blood pressure....& can't have ANY salt.......Well, big box, sitting on my table picture of a pretzel on it.......big sign, on front of my table, says, "Jumbo soft Pretzels." Yeah, I could see how she could miss that.....Gees !

But, I love it when my life runs in an orderly fashion (Smile)........& this week it seems to be......& really love it when people are not bugging me. Only one dark cloud lumming up.......On Fri. at 8:30 A.M. I have to go down & have a meeting with the Apt. manager & building owner. I got a call this morning about it......she wouldn't tell me what it was about. But, I'm thinking it has something to do with the note slipped under my door about the trash in the Recycle bin........Can we please just let this drop ?????? I mean.....so someone put some trash in the recycle bin....My God, it's Not the end of the world !

And, for the record....I had nothing to do with it. But, they want to have a meeting with everybody on the 7Th floor about it. Jeepers !

OK, back to work.

Lunch Menu:

Polish sausage on bun

Baked Beans

Cole slaw

Jello

Sugar Cookie

Book of the week:

Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover Soul.

Last Netflix Movie:

Hide and Seek.

Craft of the Day:

Crochet Cat Nip Mouse.

Pictured at top of page.

Working it out at work...& getting Aroundtoit !

We had what we call a "Grass Roots" meeting with the Store Manager on Saturday. Which meant........we had to sit there for nearly 2 hours & listen to him talk.......there were snacks......so, it wasn't to bad. He told us (the Demo Team) that if we had a Demo for the Bakery from now on.........that's what we did.....A Demo only. No more working in the Bakery........WooHoo!!!!!
Now if we could just do away with the Check-out line Demos.......we'd be very happy campers indeed.

Someone also brought up selling the Plus Memberships to him........well, while he understood selling Memberships was not part of our job.......he did say however, that if someone seemed interested in a Plus Membership all us Demo Ladies should know about them. OK, I can handle that.

I was off Sunday....but, had to work on Monday. I hate working on a week day......there is hardly anybody in the store. I had frozen Blueberry Muffins.......& I only had a case of them (12 boxes)..........Low product means if you sell out before the day is over.........you go home......or get "Bumped".

At Lunch time I checked & had 4 boxes on the shelf (actually 5, I had one under my table)........while I was in the break room, my Boss came in & said....."Looks like you will be leaving behind me, you only have 2 boxes of Muffins on the shelf."

Wow. When I got back from Lunch......& as I was putting my hair net back on......a lady came up to my table & said....."Oh, frozen Muffins, just what I need."

She wanted 6 boxes.......but, was happy with the 3 I gave her. So, I went home early. It was just the kind of week-end I like at work.......quite !

At home, I have most of my "Fall" stuff up. I have a few garlands of colorful leaves that I put around my Apt. door.......I've been putting it off. But, then......that's just like alot of other stuff........I just put it off. I'm so bad about that. I started Christmas gifts for people at work, & friends this Summer........& I'm still working on only the second hand towel of a set for my one friend........all the rest are piled up in a corner of my Apt. not even started yet. I take Surveys on line.......& get $3.00 a survey..........I have 4 checks stacked up here by the computer......my Bank is only 3 blocks away.......Jeepers ! I just put off, going to the Bank. I did however (finely) mail a box of Stephen King books to my friend in Ohio........& it only sat in my Apt. for 6 months. Right now......while I'm writing this......I'm doing my laundry......Why ?.......because I put off doing it yesterday. I also have to get dressed (sigh) to go down & help serve the Noon Meal. Note to Self: Stop doing that ! And....there's the buzzer for the laundry.......Excuse me.

In my bed room closet....there is a big suit case that I brought to Wisconsin from Florida.........there is stuff in it........& I've lived in Wisconsin for 4 years now.

Needless to say....whatever is in that suit case......I don't need anymore......it's been one of my goals to clean it out, & take the stuff to Good Will.

I need Aroundtoit..........& someday I will find my Aroundtoit. In the mean time......I need to get dressed & go Serve the Noon Meal.

Lunch Menu:

Roast Beef in Gravy

Homemade Dressing

Red cabbage

Cranberry sauce

Wheat Bread

Strawberry & Rhubarb Whip

Next Netflix Movie:

What lies Beneath

Book of the week:

Chicken Soup for

the Cat Lovers soul.

Craft of the Day:

Crochet Snow Flake

Table Runner.

Picture at top of Page.

Ssssshh, There are spys everywhere.

We have a "Mole" at the store. How do we know ?

Well, every Saturday our Boss has a "Meeting" with us.......& if one of the spy's has told her anything........that's what the meeting is about. Like last Saturday...we had a "Meeting" about selling & Talking about Plus Memberships. Apparently someone from Membership was walking around & didn't hear us Demo Ladies talking about the Plus Memberships.......so, she told our Boss.

I barely have enough time to tell people about the Product I'm selling.....before they stuff the sample in their face & walk away.......let alone Plus Memberships, & e-values.

So, I'm sure we will have a "Meeting" on Saturday about giving away uncooked food. (sigh).

It's a shame to work this way....always looking over your shoulder & wondering...."Am I doing the Right thing ?".........."Will someone Tell on me if I stop to say Hello to this person ?"

I try very hard at work to keep a low profile........to get my paperwork done & done right.......to help out as much as I can with the Demo kitchen clean up.......to keep my mind on my work at my table.......& to STAY by my table !

But, still.....when I lift my head up & I see someone staring at me........I wonder, "What the Heck am I doing now ?" or Not doing that I should be doing.......& "Will there be a "Meeting" about this on Saturday ?"

I could be just standing still.......& still get yelled at. (sigh)

One of the things I get yelled at the most for........is not helping in the Demo kitchen. The kitchen is very small.......I am very large.......& when you get 4 or 5 other people in there.......we just get in each other's way. So, I spend most of my time....putting the tables away....taking out the trash......& finding a Manager to sign off on our paperwork. All of which helps, but a few of the other women don't see it that way..........they view it as trying to get out of doing the work.

Once I finished my Demo early (Sold out of product) & I went to the kitchen....& started to clean up. When the others on my shift got there........every time they would start to do something on the chore list........I'd say, "I already did that." But, this one woman went behind me & redone it anyway........saying, "Well, it's still dirty."........I can't win.

I'm not going to worry about it anymore..........let the Spy's tell on me. As long as I know I'm doing what I'm suppose to be doing.........than the Heck with them.

I have decided....however.......to keep my nose to the grindstone more. One of my biggest faults at work is stopping to "Chat" with the other Demo ladies while coming back from Breaks.........No more.......I'll walk right on by now. Even last week end.......while going to Breaks....or coming back from Breaks.......I kept repeating to myself......"Move along, Move along."

The Spy's are out there........They are everywhere.........& could be anyone. Be Afraid....Be Very Afraid !!!!!!!! I like my job to much to let the Spy's bring me down.

Todays Lunch Menu:

Meatloaf

Potato Cubes

Carrots

Mixed fruit

Roll

Apple Pie

(Oh, & I bought some Roses, to put one on eack table yesterday.)

Book I'm Reading: Homer's Odyssey By Gwen Cooper

Next Netflix Movie: Spiderwick Chronicles

Craft of the Day: Crocheted Chemo Cap

Pictured at Top of Page. BTW, if you need, or know someone who needs a Chemo Cap.......feel free to Email me.

The check-out line Demos & working in the Bakery

My week started out.....Where ? In the Bakery. I was suppose to Demo Brownie Bites. But was asked to "Help" out in the Bakery instead. The person who actually works there waived a paper in my face & said......"Just follow whats on this list." Then left....leaving me there alone. (sigh) Holy Man ! I packaged everything from Rolls to Pies !........Got Cake Orders & took Cake Orders. Ran the price label making thingy. I had to draw the line at writing "Happy Birthday" on Pre-made cakes..........Because, when I make a home made cake......I normally buy those candy letters & stick them on the cake. I suggested this to a lady....& she just looked at me like I was some new strange type of bug she just discovered.

I was beat by the end of the day.

On Friday after work....my friend, another Demo lady & I went out for a fish dinner. We were talking about the Check-out line Demos. Well, we thought they had went away. Nobody had done one for a long time. The woman who was with us said.......the COS's were complaining we were in the way up there.......& a member complained, someone had put a bag of something she didn't even ask for in her shopping cart. (sigh) Then low & behold....bright & early on Saturday......the Check-out line Demos were back. I'm just happy I didn't have to do it.....because the product was Pistachio nuts........Gees !

So, I'm rolling along thinking.......Gee, I'm having a pretty decent week.......selling a lot of my product.......not doing to bad. My biggest "Fault" at work is....stopping to Talk to the other Demo ladies........Yes, I admit it. But, it seemed to me that when I did.......I'd look up to see someone staring at me. So, I kept thinking......"Move along....Move along."

On Sunday......I was frying up......chicken & cheese Quesadills. Sundays are short days.......& normally very slow anyway.......this Sunday there was a Football game (Who else.....Packers!). The Boss had pulled.......(put the boxes in the cooler to thaw out)......7 boxes of Quesadills........7 Boxes of 12 each !!!!!! I knew I wasn't going to use all them up. So, since they were Pre-wrapped.......I started to just hand them to people as they walked by (UN-cooked) to take them home with them. I had sold a lot of them. One Demo lady saw me doing this & yelled (From across the store)....."Shirl, I don't think you are suppose to be giving them out raw." I yelled back, "Why not, they are Pre-wrapped."........."Yes," she yelled,"But, they were frozen & now they are thawed out." Then she adds...."I'll call the Boss tonight & ask her." Jeepers Creepers ! I can't win. I get into trouble just standing there ! I dumped the rest in the trash. And, thought....if the Boss asks me about it........I can "Honestly" say......."Well, when she pointed this out to me, I put them in the trash." OK, I understand she was just trying to be Helpful. But, why didn't she just come up to my table & say it quietly....instead of yelling it from across the store ? I hate to be singled out.......& I hate ending a good week on that kind of note. So much for keeping my head down at work. As we were driving home, my friend told me......."You need to straighten up & fly right." Well, you know how they say......"There's ONE in every group ?" Well, I'm the ONE.

And now, I think I'll get ready to go down to help with the Noon Meal.......& see how bad I can mess that up.

Today's Menu:

Chicken Breast

Garden Blend Rice

Green Beans

Wheat Bread

Strawberries

Angel food cake

Book of the week:

Homer's Odyssey By Gwen Cooper

(A fearless Feline Tail, Or How I learned About Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat.)

Last Netflix Movie:

Night at the Museum

Craft of the day:

Hand towel, with cross stitch heart & Flowers on either side & initials J.Z. (A Christmas gift for someone at work)

Pictured at top of page.

Health Fair and Pot Lucks.

We had a Health Fair on Tues. right here in our Apt. building. Not just for the Tenants here....but, opened to the public. It was a very good turn out.....but, when ever you say there's going to be "Free Food" everybody & their brother shows up.
We knew the Meal Service was going to be late.......as the Health Fair ended at 11:30....& we start serving at 11:30. And of course we were serving spaghetti that day which meant ....Salad. They send us the salad in big steam table pots......along with small bowls.......& we have to put it all together.
The Health Fair started running out of food about 11:00.......& we started making the salads at 11:00.........so, we had people coming up to the serving window asking for salad.......& had to tell them it was for the Noon Meal. I even seen one lady trying to untie the plastic from around the cake...which was for the Meal. I had to take it off the counter & put it on top of the steam table. One man even came up to the window & said he didn't get a muffin. We had to explain to him.......we had nothing to do with the food for the Health Fair.....& if it was gone...it was just gone. Gees ! I felt like I was in the store doing a Demo.
Just what is it about most of these people & free food ? I've never seen the likes of it in my life. Most of these people act like they have never had a bite to eat in their life.
But, all in all the Health Fair was great !
Then there was a Pot Luck supper........which was only for the people who live here.....& that was real nice. I like the Pot Luck suppers.......it gives you a Chance to meet all the people who live here....get to know who they are.
It was very relaxed. Except.......I brought baked beans (the Bush's Grilling Beans) & there were 3 other bowls of baked beans. I can't win ! Last time we had a Pot Luck.......I made Potato Salad.......& so did 4 other people. (sigh)
I had a good time.
But, now I have to get ready to go to work. I took to long to write this & I'm running late.
Note: Actually I wrote this last week..........& I'm only now putting it here on my Blog. Talk about a day late & a dollar short.!.

Working in the Bakery & Kissing Frogs.

I worked in the Bakery almost all week end. I don't mind doing a Demo for Bakery.......but, all us Demo ladies have heard the stories about how Demo ladies will disappear into the Bakery......never to be seen again ! No, really......I was giving out samples of Pumpkin Muffins...when I was asked to come into the Bakery & help Package. My least favorite thing. It's hot in the Bakery & there are no mats to stand on (so you're standing on cement floors all day). So, almost all day Thurs. & Fri. I packaged Cookies......Rolls......Muffins....& pies. As well as took orders for Cakes....& got orders for Cakes. Nobody who works in the store likes to work in the Bakery....including the people WHO work in the Bakery....Gees.

Saturday was a weird day. I had Jalapeno Poppers with grape jelly (I kid you not).........& all was going well....when a kid came along....licked the jelly off the Popper...put it back in the little cup & tried to put it back on the tray....(sigh).

Then one of the other Demo ladies told me.....a lady came up to her table...took a Hot Pocket....ate the middle out of it.......then tried to hand it back to her & said, "Here, I don't like this." Going back to the Bakery a min. I found a chewed up Pumpkin Muffin behind a Roasted Chicken in the Deli....Gees ! Why, oh why, do people do this ? If you don't think you are going to like something....then why take it ? I mean....I can see a kid do something like this......But, an Adult ? Would you do this at home ? Half eat something than put it back...or hide it somewhere ? If you take a bite out of something & don't like it.......then put it in the trash can....which is right in front of my table. After all....that's why I'm standing there......for you to TRY it. I won't be offended if you don't like it. Because there are alot of things I Demo, that I personally don't like. Like the Chicken Alfredo I Demoed on Sunday. Don't like Alfredo sauce......Nope.

Ah well. It's getting to be almost time for me to get up & start moving around here. I haven't touched my Apt. for 4 days.......& the cat's littler box is getting a little strong.......down right smelly ! Then I have not only laundry to put away, but more to wash. (sigh). And, I have to go help serve Lunch....& go shopping !

One day I'll kiss the right Frog......he'll turn into the Handsome Prince...we will retire to Florida.......& live Happily Ever After........Yeah, right !

I've kissed a few Frogs in my time........so many my lips are getting warts......& I'm growing to hate the taste of Frog.

I have a dish towel I keep on my oven handle........there's a little green frog on a wooden spoon with a chef's hat & apron....on the apron it says, "Kiss the Frog." I keep it there to remind me.......I still have a few Frogs to go. (sigh). In the mean time.......I'm happy to just stay home with my cat.

Today's Lunch Menu: Shredded Turkey in Gravy

mashed Potatoes

California Blend

Orange Cream Salad

Roll

Oatmeal Cookie

Book of the Week: Shadow eyes (when you see them, it's to late) By Kathryn Ptacek.

Next Movie on Netflix List: Wall-E

Craft of the Day: Little girls Flip-flops crocheted in Purple Fun Fur yarn.

(pictured at top of page)

Welcome to My Apt.

I live in an Apt. building for older people. You have to be 50 years old or older to live here. All the Apt. are small one bedroom. The rent includes the elect., heat, & satellite TV....the rent is also based on your monthly income. Not a bad deal. In the Apt. building there is......a game room with pool table......an exercise room......a Day room with a big screen TV & small Liabury(you can borrow all the books you want).......A Put & Take room(get rid of things you don't want, or take things you do).......A computer room.......A Nurse's Office........& of course the Dinning room, where I volunteer to serve the Noon meal. We also have Pot Luck suppers........Party's.......& Bingo Nights. What more could you ask for......you don't even need to leave the building if you don't want to.
I love it here. I have everything I need right here. If I go out the front door & walk right across the street, that bus takes me to a grocery store......the one that stops down on the corner takes me to work.....as well as Goodwill & Walmart. Very convenient in the winter time for me.
I got a very nasty note slipped under my Apt. door (it must have been very late last night, because it wasn't there when I went to bed)........this note was ranting & raving about how somebody put their trash in the Recycle bin instead of down the trash chute........OMG ! I read the thing like 4 times.....it was pretty nasty. It said if they ever found trash in the Recycle bin again....they were going to dump it in front of the person's Apt. door. OMG ! And, here I thought we were all adults living here ? I took the note to the Office......& told them I thought it was petty.
I have no idea why somebody would take all that time to write a nasty note about trash in a Recycle bin........they could have spent the time better (IMO). Hey ! Here's an idea....why not just take the trash out & throw it away ?
Ah well. I have to get ready for work in the morning....so, I have bigger fish to fry. I did all my laundry yesterday, so all my work cloths are nice & clean. (Good job) I couldn't decide if I should go to Walmart today or not. So, I sort of tossed a coin........If my NetFlix movie came today, I'd stay home....if not, I'd go to Walmart....It came. I really didn't need to do any shopping anyway...I was just Bord. The cat has plenty of food.......just checked...he does. I have plenty of food.......like I need anymore.
They are having a "Birthday Party" for everybody born in Sept. down in the Dinning room tonight.............So, I will watch my movie & go to a Party.......How Nice !
Today's Lunch Menu: Beef Stroganoff over pasta
Mixed vegetables
Mandarin Oranges
Wheat Bread
Raspberry Cookie bar
Book of the week: Shadoweyes, By Kathryn Ptacek
Next Movie on Netflix List: One Missed Call
Craft of the Day: Multi-Color Single Granny square afghan (made with small balls of scrap yarns that I found in thrift stores)

Check-out line Demos

So, this is a new twist in Demos. The check-out line Demos. I think they are stupid. But, I can see how the home office thinks they will work.

The problem we have always had in Demos is......people will pick up your product.....then go to the next aisle & drop it off. And, long lines of people in front of your table waiting for a sample.......people actually shopping could not get through.

Here's the idea........You are up front near the check-out lanes.......Product on top of & under your table........you walk from line to line with a tray of samples, asking people if they would like a bag or box.......they are already in line....so they Have to buy it.

So far, I've done two.......Chex Mix & Beef Jerky.

The first time I did this I cheated a little........I went & got a mat to stand on by my table. You are suppose to do this Demo without a mat.......because you are not suppose to be standing at your table. My Boss found out.......& made me do another one. (sigh) The second one I did........I was determined to do it the right way. By the end of the day I was limping..........& when I got home my left ankle was so swollen.......I couldn't get my sock off. But, by golly ! I did it ! And, did it right.

Another new Demo.......is the team Events. I did one of those too. It was called "Lunchtime for about $1.00." Gees ! Me & another lady made turkey & cheese sandwiches, with mixed fruit cups & Chips Ahoy cookies. Talk about an eating frenzy...OMG ! People were completely missing the point of that Demo.........they kept asking if the Lunch came in a "Kit". NO ! If you add up the cost of 2 slices of bread......1 piece of cheese & turkey......a fruit cup.....& 2 cookies.......it comes to "About a $1.00" I'm wondering if most people take "Stupid pills" before they come into the store ?????? I also wonder if the home office is trying to just think up new ways to kill us off ??

I've had people ask me...."Why don't you just quit ?" Well, with the way things are these days.......I just count myself Lucky to even have a job. So, I go into work when I'm suppose to.....& sort of keep my head down. Then come here to my Blog & rant & rave.

And, right now I've got to get ready to go down to the Dinning room to help with Lunch. Now, that I don't mind doing. Here's today's Menu : Sliced Turkey

Mashed potatoes

Broccoli Au Gratin

Cranberry orange relish

Roll

Brownie

Book of the week: Shadow eyes, By Kathryn Ptacek

Next movie on Netflix List: Bedtime Stories

Craft of the Day: Set of 2 pink hand towels Cross Stitched in Flamingo Alphabet.

(Picture at top of page.)

Welcome to My world.....In Black & White.

I work for a warehouse type of store......on the Demo team. Don't know what Demos are ? I give out samples of different products in the store for sale. I wear a white collared shirt,black pants & a black apron. When us Demo ladies clock-in for our shift.....they call it "The march of the penguins." There use to be 4 shifts...10-6..10:30-6:30...11-7....& 11:30-7:30. Now there are 2....the 11 shift & the 11:30 shift. Makes for a long day. Even longer if I have to take the bus home & I'm on the 11:30 shift. The bus comes at 5 Min's. after the hour. So, I wait till 8:05 to get the bus......& it takes 45 Min's. to get to my Apt. building from work. So, some times I don't get home till after 9.....ah...that's P.M. & that's after 8 hours of standing on a cement floor as well.
Anyway, I have been doing Demos for a long time. I started in 1999 in Florida......Now I live in Wisconsin....& I'm still doing Demos. I got into it because I like talking to people. But, this job in Wisconsin is nothing like the job in Florida. First of all.....most of the people who come into the store...come in to Just eat the samples. (I call them "Swoopers", they run by your table & swoop up a sample.) And, they will actually tell you that too....."Oh sorry, I don't have a membership card,I can't buy anything, I just came in for the samples." ........Or my very favorite one....."You could have LUNCH here." ...or..."What's for LUNCH ?"
There is this one man who will always ask....."What are you giving away today ?".......& I always tell him...."Nothing, but today I'm SELLING..."
Excuse me ! I'm not standing here to feed you LUNCH ! I'm SELLING a product. Plain & simple. I have a set "Goal" of how much product I have to sell everyday. And, all these people who come into the store to just eat....are not helping. Some of the other Demo ladies say they feel kind of sorry for the "Older" people who come in to "Just" eat the samples...because it might be the only "Meal" they get that day. Not me. And, that brings me to my other job...the volunteer one. I live in an Apt. building for "Older Adults"......I, myself being an older adult. On the main floor...off the Lobby...there's a small kitchen & large Dinning room. It's a meal site for "Older Adults". I help serve the meal. We serve about 50 adults a noon meal Mon to Fri. So, if these people were really that hungry......they would be welcome to come to the meal site...instead of eating up all my samples.
For the life of me......I can't understand WHY anybody would come to a store just to eat the samples anyway. I could think of a lot of things I rather be doing....then walking around a store & eating samples. It's just not cool. Oh well, that's my world.
Book of the week: New Spring, By Robert Jordan
Last Movie on Netflix list: Monster House
Craft project of the day: Granny square afghan in red & purple.